For a first-time visitor to India and its wildlife, what better introduction can there be than a tour that encompasses some of the best wildlife and birdwatching destinations of North India? Our guided birdwatching and wildlife tour takes you to a variety of the best sites of North India, such as Sultanpur National Park, the Himalayan Foothills near Nainital, and the Corbett National Park, regarded as the best Tiger Reserve of the region.
Starting from Delhi we will have time for some local birding at the Sultanpur National Park before continuing on to the Himalayan foothills, and the villages of Sat Tal and Pangot.
Pangot and Sat Tal are small Himalayan villages, just 15 km from the hill station of Nainital in the state of Uttarakhand. These Kumaoni villages, and the forest around them, offer spectacular views, lovely nature trails, and great birding opportunities. The road passes through mixed forests of thick oak, pine and rhododendron. Perennial creeks and streams crisscross the area, adding to its beauty. Around 250 bird species have been recorded in this area, and one can see a variety of Himalayan species.
We then head back down to the plains to one of the most scenic reserves in India, Corbett National Park. Yet another hunting-turned-conservation story, Corbett was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park in order to protect tigers and their habitat. It is India’s oldest national park, and in the 1970s, it also became the first national park to come under the Project Tiger initiative.
Corbett boasts a myriad of different landscapes – hills, rivers, lakes, marshy areas, grasslands, and dense forest. This variety of habitats offers you a wide assortment of animals, including Tiger, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Indian Muntjac, Yellow-throated Martens, and many more. For birdwatchers, there are more than 500 species of birds seen.
Delhi (Google Map)
Your adventure begins as you touch down in New Delhi, a centre of civilization for millennia, and now the capital of India! You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
After checking in, we can proceed to our first birding destination, Sultanpur National Park, for a day of birding.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
From Delhi, we move today to the Himalayan foothills, namely the village of Sat Tal. Sat Tal, named after the seven lakes in the area, is a birding paradise, with species such as Blue-winged Minla, Ashy Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, and more, found here. After some refreshment, our guide will accompany you to the various birding sites, and we will spend the rest of the day birding in Sat Tal.
Overnight stay.
The habitat offers species such as:
White-crested Laughing Thrush, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Red-billed Leothrix, Siberian Rubythroat, Rock Bunting etc. This scattered and deliberately undeveloped area is one of the most pleasant destinations. Look for Rufous-chinned & White Crested Laughing Thrush, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Greater Yellow-naped Flameback, Speckled Piculet, Golden Bush Robin etc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lavanya Resort
We have a full day of birding today in Sat Tal to look for our targets. The Himalayan region is also home to a wide variety of woodpecker species, such as Himalayan, Brown-fronted, and Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, and more.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lavanya Resort
We have an early morning birding session today in Sat Tal. After checking out at 0930hrs, we continue our mountain birding odyssey, and move to Pangot. There are plenty of birding spots and stops en route, and we will arrive in Pangot in time for a late lunch.
We will spend the rest of the day birdwatching around Pangot.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge or similar
We have a full day of birding today at Pangot to look for our targets. Around 250 bird species have been recorded in this area, and one can see a variety of Himalayan species like Himalayan Vulture, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty-backed Forktails, Blue Whistling Thrush, Rufous-bellied and Himalayan Woodpeckers, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Kalij Pheasant, and a variety of other species.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge or Similar
Early morning, you will proceed for the birding tour with your guide. You will go for a short and very interesting hike towards Kilbury to see the feeding flocks. A packed breakfast will be served.
Return to the lodge for lunch, and in the afternoon, proceed for birding in the lower altitude to look for birds of Terai.
Overnight stay at the Lodge.
Species: We spend the day birding at Cheena Peak and Kilbury [6500-7500 feet]. The walks can be done at a very easy pace. We will encounter an excellent selection of Himalayan species including Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Niltava and Khalij Pheasant. The numerous perennial and seasonal creeks are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna including Leopard, Himalayan Palm Civet, Yellow-throated Himalayan Martin, Ghoral, Sambhar and Barking Deer.
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge or Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Corbett National Park. Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park in order to protect tigers and their habitat, Corbett National Park is India’s oldest national park. In the 1970s, it also became the first national park to come under the Project Tiger initiative. An afternoon of birding along the river at Kumeria with a guide will help you get acquainted to the birdlife of the park.
Overnight stay at Tiger Camp
Note: Our guide will help you to complete your check list of target species.
Accommodation: Tiger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today we have morning and evening safaris in Corbett National Park to explore the forest, and look for tigers, elephants, and birds. Corbett boasts a myriad of different landscapes – hills, rivers, lakes, marshy areas, grasslands, and dense forest. This variety of habitats offers you a wide assortment of animals, including Tiger, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Indian Muntjac, Yellow-throated Martens, and many more. For birdwatchers, there are more than 500 species of birds seen, including Great Hornbill, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Lineated Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Black Francolin, and much more. Some of the more interesting species include Pallas’s and Lesser Fish Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Tawny Fish Owl, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Bright-headed Cisticola, Rosy Minivet and Himalayan Rubythroat.
Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Tiger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We will have our last morning safari in Corbett today. After an early lunch, we depart Corbett for Delhi, where we will reach by late evening. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
Transfer to Delhi airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
